Glasses Slipping Down Your Face: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

If you wear glasses, chances are they’ve slipped down your nose more than a few times. This can be uncomfortable and annoying. Daily wear can affect how your glasses fit but that’s not the only thing that causes slippage. Read on to learn some common reasons why your glasses slip and how you can fix this problem.

Why Your Glasses Slip

There are many reasons why your glasses may keep sliding down your nose, including:

• Your frames are too big for your face – If your frames are too heavy or wide, they may not stay in place.
• The temples are not bent enough – The temples are the “arms” of the frames that bend to fit over your ears and hold your glasses in place. If they aren’t bent correctly, your glasses may slide forward.
• The temples are not aligned – To check if the temples of your glasses are aligned, open the arms and put the glasses on a flat surface. The temples should be parallel, and both should touch the surface.
• The nose pads have moved – The nose pads sit on both sides of your nose to help keep your glasses from sliding. In metal frames, they’re small plastic pieces that can be adjusted to be tighter or looser. If they’ve moved, they may not be able to hold your glasses in place.
• Your frames need nose pads – Nose pads are usually built into acetate frames, but your glasses may not fit correctly if they’re too far apart for your nose.
• The screws are loose – There are tiny screws in the frame’s hinges that allow the temples to fold in and out. Over time, these screws can become loose and even fall out, which affects how your glasses fit to your face.
• You have oily skin – If your skin is oily, your glasses are more likely to slip down your nose.

How to Stop Your Glasses from Slipping

If your glasses are slipping down your nose due to an issue with your frames, there are several things you can do at home to adjust them:

Adjust the Temples

To make the temples of your glasses pliable, they need to be warmed up. You can do this with a hair dryer or a bowl of hot water.

Heat one temple until it’s warm, then hold the glasses right-side-up with the frames facing you. Your index finger should be under the bent part of the temple. Gently push the temple end down with your other hand, then repeat with the other temple so both sides are equal.

Tighten the Screws

Use an eyeglasses repair kit or a very small screwdriver to gently tighten the hinge screws.

Adjust the Nose Pads

If your glasses have separate nose pads (common in metal frames), hold the frames securely and gently push each nose pad closer together or farther apart so they comfortably fit your nose. Try on your glasses and keep adjusting the nose pads as needed.

Other Techniques to Keep Glasses from Slipping

If adjusting the frames doesn’t stop your glasses from slipping, here are other solutions you can try:

Put Wax on the Nose Pads

Wax creates friction between your glasses and your skin to help your glasses stay put. You can use special wax that’s made for this purpose, but regular beeswax will also work. The amount of wax you need and how often you apply it depends on which kind of wax you choose. Remember to clean the wax off your glasses (and your face) at the end of each day.

Attach Adhesive Silicone Nose Pads

Silicone nose pads are an option you can try if your frames don’t have nose pads already. Before putting them on, clean your frames to remove any oil and dirt. Then place the sticky side of each nose pad on either side of the frame’s nose bridge (so they touch your nose) and press to make sure they stick.

Use an Eyewear Band

Popular with athletes, an eyewear band or eyewear retainer is a fabric or neoprene strap that fits over the ends of the temples. When worn snugly around the back of your head, an eyewear band lifts your frames so they stay in place.

Attach Hair Ties to Your Glasses

Hair ties can help you position your glasses where you need them to be on your face. Wrap a thin hair tie around each temple toward the back, making sure it’s tight. You can camouflage this solution by using hair ties that are the same color as your frames.

Use Oil-Free Facial Care Products

If you have oily skin, consider using an oil-free cleanser, moisturizer and/or makeup. It’s a good idea to talk with your dermatologist before trying any new skin care products.

Use an Eyeglass Chain

More commonly used with reading glasses and sunglasses, an eyeglass chain can also help keep your glasses from slipping down your face. Since a chain fits looser than an eyewear band, it may not prevent all slipping, but it will keep your glasses from falling off completely. Plus, a chain is a great way to keep your glasses nearby if you don’t need to wear them all the time.

If All Else Fails

If none of these solutions stop your glasses from slipping, visit your eye doctor or optician to get your frames professionally adjusted. You may also want to ask about glasses with a low nose bridge when considering your next pair. They’re designed a little differently to help keep them from sliding down your nose.